Re: M.I.T. = Overrated Academics
Jay Furr
news:1185709768....@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com:
> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>
> - spelled "a lot" as one word
> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
> - didn't capitalize days of the week
> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>
> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>
> Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> there.
>
A lot of Asperger's types don't quite ever come to understand the
niceties of verbal *or* written communication.
A lot of Asperger's types wind up at places like MIT. (My father-in-law
got his masters there.)
--
IFIIRZZSKOPGKXEAVOBMJKKVOLF 233
Dan S.
> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>
> - spelled "a lot" as one word
> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
> - didn't capitalize days of the week
> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>
> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>
> Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> there.
MIT - Football = the new Yale?
--
Yours,
Dan S.
Correct spelling, in all its forms, is an abomination to the
right-minded amoung us.
Goro
<solnichkafrankenst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>
> - spelled "a lot" as one word
> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
> - didn't capitalize days of the week
> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>
> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>
> Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> there.
Yeah, those English majors at MIT aren't really worth their salt.
-goro-
Archie Leach
>Solnichka Frankenstein formulated the question :
>> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
>> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
>> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>>
>> - spelled "a lot" as one word
>> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
>> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
>> - didn't capitalize days of the week
>> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
>> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>>
>> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
>> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
>> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>>
>> Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
>> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
>> there.
>
>MIT - Football = the new Yale?
IT'S DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL!!!
IT'S THE IVY LEAGUE!!!
IT AIN'T INTERMURALS!!!!!!
deem...@aol.com
<solnichkafrankenst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>
> - spelled "a lot" as one word
> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
> - didn't capitalize days of the week
> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>
> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>
> Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> there.
Oooooh.....firing someone over grammar mistakes in a memo. You must
be so proud of yourself.
Matthew Hennig
news:1185709768....@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com:
> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>
> - spelled "a lot" as one word
> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
> - didn't capitalize days of the week
> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>
> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>
> Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> there.
You must feel pretty dumn to mispell Acedemics.
MH
--
Ten of Spades
Aggee Fedayeen Chief
Supreme Ruler of the Obvious
RSFC Rookie of the Year 2005
Time Magazine Person of the Year 2006
"We just got outplayed today. That's the bottom line. And we got
outcoached."
- OU Head Coach Bob Stoops following the Texas A&M game, Nov 9, 2002
J. Hugh Sullivan
It's only natural for those of us who graduated by 1950 to expect
people to be literate. There is no pride in merely doing what is
expected.
Deliberate "goofs" are one thing - illiteracy is another.
Putting someone down who expects a reasonable standard of performance
is ignorance. I expected more from a UTinny grad.
I'll have fries with that deemsbill.
Hugh
Goro
True and i understand, however, if his PRIMARY role is as a person who
writes then it's certainly problematic, but i've known MANY a person
who are brilliant comp sci/math/engineers who aren't adept at writing
and who have problmes with spelling and grammar but in their primary
job role, they are excellent to the point of being nearly
unreplaceable.
I have also known many people who are excellent writers who have
trouble with fairly elementary mathematics; i think many of us would
expect a person to have graduated with basic 8th grade math skills and
although i find it curious and slightly disappointing, i'm not going
to make a big deal out of it.
-goro-
deem...@aol.com
I'm still taking the hook out. I thought I'd jump in the boat
early....beat the rush.
dd
<solnichkaf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>Your ellipsis is in error above.
>
>BTW, if someone can't communicate well enough and represent themselves
>and the organization properly, it's a perfectly reasonable offense for
>termination. Learning grammar is something for kids; adults in public
>roles should know how to write. If he didn't learn how to write at
>M.I.T., well ... you have the point of my subject header. I'd rather
>hire a kid from Wyoming State who can write than an M.I.T. fool who
>cannot. After all, you may have the greatest ideas in the world, but
>if you can't communicate them clearly, no one will notice.
>
>[Side note: I was watching a TV show the other night on FOX, and the
>captions had the same apostrophe mistake with a plural noun. I mean,
>seriously -- if you never learned how to use an apostrophe properly,
>you should never have received a degree from an accredited university
>in this country.]
you are a perfect example of someone taking a good thing one step too
far. Encouraging proper use of the language is important insofar as it
is serving to improve communication. Taking it beyond that is simply
elitism. Elitism is not useful; and if it isn't useful, it has no
purpose other than to satisfy some personal need. Satisfying personal
needs through your work is likely to be counterproductive.
Grammar can be so bad as to actually interfere with understanding, but
simple mistakes generally don't interfere with the communication
intended. Effective communication is much more contextual than it is
precise.
At any rate, I would rather have an engineer understand the
coefficient of linear expansion of cast iron, or whatever, than when
to use a semi-colon instead of a colon. As a matter of fact, I think
an engineer with a perfect understanding of his area of expertise is
more useful to society than someone whose main focus is understanding
and practicing grammar perfectly.
Besides, your entire post here smacks of jealousy.
Lighten up.
Dan S.
Commie elitist
> Grammar can be so bad as to actually interfere with understanding, but
> simple mistakes generally don't interfere with the communication
> intended. Effective communication is much more contextual than it is
> precise.
>
> At any rate, I would rather have an engineer understand the
> coefficient of linear expansion of cast iron, or whatever, than when
> to use a semi-colon instead of a colon. As a matter of fact, I think
> an engineer with a perfect understanding of his area of expertise is
> more useful to society than someone whose main focus is understanding
> and practicing grammar perfectly.
But, the engineer who can write well for academic journals can show
others ... for the communist party's gain, that is.
>
> Besides, your entire post here smacks of jealousy.
>
> Lighten up.
yoo mispelled "lighten up captialist pig"
--
Yours,
Dan S.
Notably: not a sock
Tony Lima
<solnichkaf...@gmail.com> wrote:
[rant snipped]
>Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
>you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
>there.
I note with interest the gratuitous inclusion of "from"
after "degree." At best, that's a colloquialism. However,
I was always taught that ending a sentence (or, in this
case, a demarcated phrase) with a preposition is incorrect.
Pot - kettle comparisons welcome. - Tony (MIT '69)
J. Hugh Sullivan
I was a math major and as I told my High School English teacher about
20 years ago "she learned me purty gud".
I think it's funny how the younger generation disses excellence.
In my era the people you speak of who couldn't do both got to sweep
the halls or pick up the garbage every week. I still look at them that
way. But those of us who expect very much of anyone are disappearing
fast.
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
I see no reason why he couldn't do both.
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
But "from" is possibly the best preposition to end a sentence WITH.
Hugh
Goro
yes, well, i can't really speak towards your generation as (a) i'm not
really sure what that is and (b) i'm not sure i know enough to comment
about it. I think these days, it still is desirable for technical
types to have communication abilities (duh) and our schools and
universities do encourage that.
Not meant as an excuse per se, but we are in a time of increasing
specialization and it's not unusual for people to specialize early,
especially if they have a particularly high talent ceiling in an
area. It's easy for a person who really like math to neglect some
elements of grammar and vice versa. We may be seeing it more b/c it's
more prevalent or b/c there's so much more communication that it's
exposed more.
To be fair, most of the people i knew in college were quite capable in
multiple areas; most were technical/scientific people who were very
capable communicators. My own friend (well, acquaintance really) at
CMU (yeah, i didn't get into MIT, but IANB) who had the highest 4.0 at
the University and was absolutely brilliant was a very engaging person
and easy to talk to.
The mistakes the OP spoke of seem to me to be of fairly trivial
importance. "alot" v "a lot", some improper capitalizatons, etc. on
an email memo strike me as nit-picky (although the improper use of the
apostrophe does strike me as irritating).
One side note, these days with email, forums, IM, SMS, and social
netwokring sites increasing the amount of "written" correspondence, it
seems as if ironically, proper grammar usage is decreasing. The sheer
amount of improper grammar tends to reinforce continued use of poor
grammar.
-goro-
Dan S.
I find that is the best way to garner excellence, Hugh. When you
expect much of people, you get much. Conversely, when you expect
little, you get little. With the former, you are often disappointed
and with the latter, you are seldom disappointed. It's my contention
that those who expect little are self-serving in that they want to
avoid disappointment and have simply given up.
Dan S.
It is a strict rule in other languages, but they don't even teach that
to learners of English as a second language anymore. Mainly because it
is so commonplace and not because you are incorrect.
--
Yours,
Dan S.
Rule: Whether you have a valid argument or not, it's always important
to insult the other person.
TimV
"Dan S." <danUNDERscoreGO...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:mn.ebc47d777...@sbcglobal.net...
> J. Hugh Sullivan explained :
>> On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 15:55:57 -0000, Goro <eviln...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> I still look at them that
>> way. But those of us who expect very much of anyone are disappearing
>> fast.
>>
>
> I find that is the best way to garner excellence, Hugh. When you expect
> much of people, you get much. Conversely, when you expect little, you get
> little. With the former, you are often disappointed and with the latter,
> you are seldom disappointed. It's my contention that those who expect
> little are self-serving in that they want to avoid disappointment and have
> simply given up.
>
>
This certainly explains the psychosis of the Notre Dame fan. Always expect
too much, always disappointed. Well, at least you've got the service
academies.
T
Solnichka Frankenstein
> On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:49:28 -0000, Solnichka Frankenstein
>
>
> [rant snipped]
>
> >Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> >you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> >there.
>
> I note with interest the gratuitous inclusion of "from"
> after "degree." At best, that's a colloquialism. However,
> I was always taught that ending a sentence (or, in this
> case, a demarcated phrase) with a preposition is incorrect.
>
> Pot - kettle comparisons welcome. - Tony (MIT '69)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/words/prepositions.html
Always trust a Canadian, dude.
dd
you see no reason why WHO couldn't do both? Do you know the
individual in question? If you don't, your comment is nonsensical.
Many individuals of course could do both, while many others might not.
There just is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater over
a few simple, unimportant mistakes that only bother those on the
lookout for others' mistakes.
dd
sorry. What's a captialist, genius?
dd
<solnichkaf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>174 words of alleged bait?
nice sentence. Can you supersize those fries please?
Un Uh, don't even try it. I'm not the one being hypercritical.
>
>Sure.
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
well she didn't do all that 'gud', because unless you are referring to
a specific high school by name, there is no reason to capitalise the
common noun 'high school'. On the other hand if you were referring to
a course named "High School English", it should have had quotation
marks around it.
Please explain yourself, it's inconceivable to me that you could blow
so much hot air and simultaneously prove yourself to BE such a
self-righteous blowhard.
>
>I think it's funny how the younger generation disses excellence.
>
>In my era the people you speak of who couldn't do both got to sweep
>the halls or pick up the garbage every week. I still look at them that
>way. But those of us who expect very much of anyone are disappearing
>fast.
you are wrong. There are plenty around who expect a great deal of
others while overestimating themselves; it' s those who expect the
same of themselves that are in short supply. So try expecting it of
YOURSELF before you jump in with both feet.
Oh, you missed a spot over there in the corner.
>Hug
dd
<solnichkaf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>Who are you? ($1)
Who wants to know?
Dan S.
> "Dan S." <danUNDERscoreGO...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:mn.ebc47d777...@sbcglobal.net...
>>
>> much of people, you get much. Conversely, when you expect little, you get
>> little. With the former, you are often disappointed and with the latter,
>> you are seldom disappointed. It's my contention that those who expect
>> little are self-serving in that they want to avoid disappointment and have
>> simply given up.
>>
>
> This certainly explains the psychosis of the Notre Dame fan. Always expect
> too much, always disappointed. Well, at least you've got the service
> academies.
>
> T
In this case, it's more of a foreknowledge.
J. Hugh Sullivan
<danUNDERscoreGO...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>J. Hugh Sullivan explained :
>> On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 15:55:57 -0000, Goro <eviln...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> I still look at them that
>> way. But those of us who expect very much of anyone are disappearing
>> fast.
>>
>
>I find that is the best way to garner excellence, Hugh. When you
>expect much of people, you get much. Conversely, when you expect
>little, you get little. With the former, you are often disappointed
>and with the latter, you are seldom disappointed.
I have no quarrel with that philosophy.
>It's my contention
>that those who expect little are self-serving in that they want to
>avoid disappointment and have simply given up.
I'm not so sure about that. In the context of this thread proper
English is learned at the high school level. Once we get out of school
we aren't tested on the ability to parse a sentence and identify the
adverbs - rather we are tested on our ability to communicate
effectively with people at various levels. It's easy to learn where we
are comparatively weak and phrase ourselves where the weakness doesn't
show. Executives I know cringe when their and there are used
incorrectly.
I guess it's nice when one doesn't shiv a git and he works for someone
who doesn't know any better.
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
>On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:45:35 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>Sullivan) wrote:
>>I was a math major and as I told my High School English teacher about
>>20 years ago "she learned me purty gud".
>
>well she didn't do all that 'gud', because unless you are referring to
>a specific high school by name, there is no reason to capitalise the
>common noun 'high school'. On the other hand if you were referring to
>a course named "High School English", it should have had quotation
>marks around it.
The first letter of your first sentence should be capitalized.
>Please explain yourself, it's inconceivable to me that you could blow
>so much hot air and simultaneously prove yourself to BE such a
>self-righteous blowhard.
Now let us refer to your first three words. They are a sentence and
sentences end with a period. "The "I" in it's should be capitalized to
start the next sentence.
>>I think it's funny how the younger generation disses excellence.
>>
>>In my era the people you speak of who couldn't do both got to sweep
>>the halls or pick up the garbage every week. I still look at them that
>>way. But those of us who expect very much of anyone are disappearing
>>fast.
>
>you are wrong. There are plenty around who expect a great deal of
>others while overestimating themselves; it' s those who expect the
>same of themselves that are in short supply. So try expecting it of
>YOURSELF before you jump in with both feet.
The first letter of the first sentence should be capitalized.
>Oh, you missed a spot over there in the corner.
Then clean it up boy or I'll hire someone else.
You got 1 out of four right - that's about average for you min wage
people.
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
Obviously the generic engineer he mentioned. Well, maybe not obvious
to someone who doesn't even know to start a sentence with a capital
letter.
>Do you know the
>individual in question? If you don't, your comment is nonsensical.
>Many individuals of course could do both, while many others might not.
For your further education he was not talking about a specific
individual in the paragraph to which I responded. Your reading
comprhension is as deficient as your English.
>There just is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater over
>a few simple, unimportant mistakes that only bother those on the
>lookout for others' mistakes.
This is the typical response of people who are overpaid at the minimum
wage.
Hugh
Glen Heiman
"dd" <diese...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:86dqa31tp5m5aceq4...@4ax.com...
Since you are such a prolific nitpicker, try "capitalize". This is an
American Newsgroup, please act accordingly.
The Queen's English is not indigenous to the rsfc-er forum .
Heiman
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:06:12 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:45:35 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>Sullivan) wrote:
>
>>>I was a math major and as I told my High School English teacher about
>>>20 years ago "she learned me purty gud".
>>
>>well she didn't do all that 'gud', because unless you are referring to
>>a specific high school by name, there is no reason to capitalise the
>>common noun 'high school'. On the other hand if you were referring to
>>a course named "High School English", it should have had quotation
>>marks around it.
>
>The first letter of your first sentence should be capitalized.
nope, I never do. Just my style.
>
>>Please explain yourself, it's inconceivable to me that you could blow
>>so much hot air and simultaneously prove yourself to BE such a
>>self-righteous blowhard.
>
>Now let us refer to your first three words. They are a sentence and
>sentences end with a period. "The "I" in it's should be capitalized to
>start the next sentence.
ever hear of a compound sentence, Mr. English master? Oh, how about
your commas? That's not 'gud'.
>
>>>I think it's funny how the younger generation disses excellence.
>>>
>>>In my era the people you speak of who couldn't do both got to sweep
>>>the halls or pick up the garbage every week. I still look at them that
>>>way. But those of us who expect very much of anyone are disappearing
>>>fast.
>>
>>you are wrong. There are plenty around who expect a great deal of
>>others while overestimating themselves; it' s those who expect the
>>same of themselves that are in short supply. So try expecting it of
>>YOURSELF before you jump in with both feet.
>
>The first letter of the first sentence should be capitalized.
see above, tardo.
>
>>Oh, you missed a spot over there in the corner.
>
>Then clean it up boy or I'll hire someone else.
oops, I detect a little uppitiness there. Just cause you're from
Alabama doesn't mean you can make people pick your cotton, Bubba.
I won't mention the commas you missed again. I'm embarrassed enough
for you.
>
>You got 1 out of four right - that's about average for you min wage
>people.
>
>Hugh
>
funny, in all that defensive verbiage, you have yet to address what
I pointed out; the fact that you are just as wrong as anybody.
Tell us again how we should demand more from people, and how we should
expect people to do all things well. What a hypocrite. What a joke.
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:21:12 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:47:35 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>Sullivan) wrote:
>
>>>>At any rate, I would rather have an engineer understand the
>>>>coefficient of linear expansion of cast iron, or whatever, than when
>>>>to use a semi-colon instead of a colon. As a matter of fact, I think
>>>>an engineer with a perfect understanding of his area of expertise is
>>>>more useful to society than someone whose main focus is understanding
>>>>and practicing grammar perfectly.
>>>
>>>I see no reason why he couldn't do both.
>>>
>>>Hugh
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>you see no reason why WHO couldn't do both?
>
>Obviously the generic engineer he mentioned. Well, maybe not obvious
>to someone who doesn't even know to start a sentence with a capital
>letter.
>
>>Do you know the
>>individual in question? If you don't, your comment is nonsensical.
>>Many individuals of course could do both, while many others might not.
>
>For your further education he was not talking about a specific
>individual in the paragraph to which I responded. Your reading
>comprhension is as deficient as your English.
for YOUR further education, and to make up for YOUR obvious lack of
reading comprehension, I point out that the 'he' you're referring to
is me. So yes the engineer could be ANY engineer, and that's the
point. If you don't specifically know the engineer, why would you
have any reason to know WHAT to expect? There are multitudes of
reasons why he (any given engineer) might not be able to do both;
you're just too dim apparently to see that. And it ain't, as they
say, rocket surgery.
>
>>There just is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater over
>>a few simple, unimportant mistakes that only bother those on the
>>lookout for others' mistakes.
>
>This is the typical response of people who are overpaid at the minimum
>wage.
yes, I'm sure it is.
>
>Hugh
RJ
There are only two reasons for the kind of mistakes mentioned in the
original post: stupidity or laziness.
deem...@aol.com
<solnichkafrankenst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 29, 11:56 am, deemsb...@aol.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 29, 11:27 am, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh Sullivan) wrote:
>
> > > On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 06:43:12 -0700, deemsb...@aol.com wrote:
> > > >On Jul 29, 7:49 am, Solnichka Frankenstein
> > > ><solnichkafrankenst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
> > > >> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
> > > >> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>
> > > >> - spelled "a lot" as one word
> > > >> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
> > > >> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
> > > >> - didn't capitalize days of the week
> > > >> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
> > > >> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>
> > > >> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
> > > >> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
> > > >> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>
> > > >> Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> > > >> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> > > >> there.
>
> > > > Oooooh.....firing someone over grammar mistakes in a memo. You must
> > > >be so proud of yourself.
>
> > > people to be literate. There is no pride in merely doing what is
> > > expected.
>
> > > Deliberate "goofs" are one thing - illiteracy is another.
>
> > > Putting someone down who expects a reasonable standard of performance
> > > is ignorance. I expected more from a UTinny grad.
>
> > > I'll have fries with that deemsbill.
>
> > > Hugh
>
> > early....beat the rush.
>
> 174 words of alleged bait?
>
If you would fire someone over a poorly worded e-mail, you are a
total ass and the guy is better off not working for you. I'd love to
see the HR dept's take on that.
deem...@aol.com
> dd <dieseld...@mindspring.com> wrote:
> > On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:47:35 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
> > Sullivan) wrote:
>
Or someone who doesn't think proper grammar is that important?
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:38:36 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>Sullivan) wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:06:12 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:45:35 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>>Sullivan) wrote:
>>
>>>>I was a math major and as I told my High School English teacher about
>>>>20 years ago "she learned me purty gud".
>>>
>>>well she didn't do all that 'gud', because unless you are referring to
>>>a specific high school by name, there is no reason to capitalise the
>>>common noun 'high school'. On the other hand if you were referring to
>>>a course named "High School English", it should have had quotation
>>>marks around it.
>>
>>The first letter of your first sentence should be capitalized.
>
>nope, I never do. Just my style.
That stlyle is mid-way between slow and fast - you are half-fast.
Now go back and play in your sandbox until recess is over. I have
given you more time than I give most peons.
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
I guess I'm getting lazy. I used to edit everything a couple of times.
Now I don't bother. The typos are sometimes tough to catch. "Alot"
could be a typo.
What bothers me about this thread is that we are talking about
supposedly educated people making serious, not inconsequential,
mistakes in writing and there are people justifying it.
Hugh
Dan S.
It's a shame that we've reached a day that an employer must check with
the HR department before giving an undesirable the boot.
--
Yours,
Dan S.
doesn't need to be reminded of being the man
deem...@aol.com
<danUNDERscoreGOEShereSLAUGH...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> deemsb...@aol.com formulated the question :
"Must"? I don't know, but when employees are fired for BS
reasons, it can save the company time and money.
deem...@aol.com
<solnichkafrankenst...@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for proving my point.
deem...@aol.com
> On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:29:57 -0400, rj_nos...@hotmail.com (RJ) wrote:
> >dd <dieseld...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
> >> On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:47:35 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
> >> Sullivan) wrote:
>
I'm not justifying it. I'm just saying firing someone for grammar
mistakes in an e-mail is pretty stupid. If the guy really can't
communicate, or has been talked to about it and won't/can't change,
that's one thing....but what the OP described is assinine.
Dan S.
agreement afterall.
--
Yours,
Dan S.
Rightee tightee, leftee loosee, right?
deem...@aol.com
<danUNDERscoreGOEShereSLAUGH...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> deemsb...@aol.com formulated on Monday :
Unemployment.....the company's premiums are based on the number of
claims. Civil Rights Laws. Too many lawyers. I'm sure there are more.
>
> --
>
> Yours,
> Dan S.
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
let's see......is that backpedaling or back pedaling?
>
>What bothers me about this thread is that we are talking about
>supposedly educated people making serious, not inconsequential,
>mistakes in writing and there are people justifying it.
>
>Hugh
what bothers me is that both of those people are you.
What bothers me about this thread is that there are people running on
and on about holding other people to a high standard while
hypocritically trying to excuse their own failure to exhibit any
ability to uphold the same standard.
You, for example, seem to have different meanings for the term 'not
inconsequential', depending on whether it applies to you or someone
else.
That's pretty convenient. Too bad you can't give others the slack
that you're giving yourself.
Jon Enslin
> On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:49:28 -0000, Solnichka Frankenstein
>
> <solnichkafrankenst...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> [rant snipped]
>
> >Sweet. I get to demonstrate once again that it's not so much *where*
> >you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> >there.
>
> after "degree." At best, that's a colloquialism. However,
> I was always taught that ending a sentence (or, in this
> case, a demarcated phrase) with a preposition is incorrect.
TMML...however I do believe that it is gradually gaining acceptance
because the phrase "from which they received their degree" is
completely awkward.
Jon
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:43:59 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:38:36 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>Sullivan) wrote:
>>
>>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:06:12 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:45:35 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>>>Sullivan) wrote:
>>>
>>>>>I was a math major and as I told my High School English teacher about
>>>>>20 years ago "she learned me purty gud".
>>>>
>>>>well she didn't do all that 'gud', because unless you are referring to
>>>>a specific high school by name, there is no reason to capitalise the
>>>>common noun 'high school'. On the other hand if you were referring to
>>>>a course named "High School English", it should have had quotation
>>>>marks around it.
>>>
>>>The first letter of your first sentence should be capitalized.
>>
>>nope, I never do. Just my style.
>
>That stlyle is mid-way between slow and fast - you are half-fast
you finally get a sense of humor, and that's all you got? Pathetic.
>
>Now go back and play in your sandbox until recess is over. I have
>given you more time than I give most peons that I don't have any answer for..
IFYPFY
>
>Hugh
dd
dang, Rip, where've you been?
Bill Lang
As one who has lost a few unemployment hearings despite having
true just cause for termination, I agree with this post.
--
wjlmuttatyeahwhodotcom
"I before E except after C, and E before N in chicken"
Jon Enslin
<danUNDERscoreGOEShereSLAUGH...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> deemsb...@aol.com formulated on Monday :
Your "at will" arrangement is with the firm...not the individual who
is your boss.
Jon
deem...@aol.com
> I don't chew my cabbage twice, deemsb...@aol.com
Some days, you just know you're going to lose going in.
RJ
Personally, I would rate that as either stupidity, or poor judgement.
Either way, not an employee I would trust with much responsibility.
dd
you should have used a semi-colon instead of a colon. There are only
two reasons for that kind of mistake, and you have to hit the caps key
to use a colon; therefor I think we can rule out laziness.
That's a nice example of exactly what you're talking about, isn't it?
Good job.
Tony Lima
Good grammar is good grammar. Either write the language the
way it's intended or stay out of the pool. - T
Jaybyrd
<solnichkafrankenst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I got a formal email memo, copied to several senior members of staff,
> from a colleague who is very proud of his M.I.T. degree -- yet in this
> email, he made the following errors in language usage:
>
> - spelled "a lot" as one word
> - used apostrophes for multiple plurals
> - didn't put question marks at the end of questions
> - didn't capitalize days of the week
> - didn't put periods at the end of multiple sentences
> - randomly capitalized words that were not pronouns or proper names
>
> Mind you, again, this was a formal email memo, not some quickly-sent
> note to one person. I swear, if it was up to me, I'd fire this
> person's ass in about two seconds. Wait ... it *is* up to me!
>
> you got your degree from; it's more so what you learned while you were
> there.
CMU RUTS's 'em n@.
RJ
Read this.
http://www.writingcenter.emory.edu/colonsemi.html
The COLON has two main uses and a number of secondary uses:
1.) To Introduce Explanations or Examples:
One factor is often missing from modern labor: pleasure in
work.
Music communicates: it is an expression of feeling.
2). To Introduce a Series, List, or Quotation
There are three kinds of guns on show this weekend:
pistols, rifles, and automatic weapons.
dd
you are absolutely correct, but I knew you might be. I can make my
point either way. A month or so ago I looked up the rules for the
useage of semicolon vs. colon, and understood them while I was
looking at them. Then, I just as quickly forgot them, because I don't
need to know them often.
Do you really think it's reasonable to expect someone who is primarily
an engineer to remember these differences when he only occasionally is
concerned with them; as opposed to someone whose specialty is language
skills? Do you really think his time is well spent if he has to look
up the rules governing colon usage ( for example) when someone asks
for a memo, when the context is all that's necessary to convey intent.
It's really just a technicality when the misuse is inconsequential.
Dwelling on points this fine does not enhance communication, which is
what language is for; it only impedes it.
I think it's fine to expect an English major to know and use the rules
of grammar correctly and consistently, just as it's fine to expect an
engineer to not make engineering mistakes. And I think it's
unforgiveable and shameful that public statements by high-profile
entities contain glaring errors.
But, I think that to expect an engineer (or whatever) to be totally
mistake-free in every inter-office memo is asinine. One that can
accomplish that might not be as good at the engineering side of things
as he could be. And as I pointed out before, if he's an engineer
designing a bridge I might have to drive across, I'd rather have him
be better at engineering. I'm confident I'm smart enough to figure
out what he's trying to say.
Furthermore, language isn't handed down carved into stone tablets; it
evolves. When technicalities are consistently eschewed in favor of
simpler language, communication improves. Consider how cumbersome Old
English was.
Communication is the purpose of language, and those who dwell on
meaningless technicality have an agenda other than communicating more
efficiently. Ironically, most of those with a different agenda
shouldn't be throwing stones to begin with.
RJ
> On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:26:34 -0400, rj_n...@hotmail.com (RJ) wrote:
<snippage due to excessive line length>
> >Read this.
> >
> >
> >http://www.writingcenter.emory.edu/colonsemi.html
> >
> >The COLON has two main uses and a number of secondary uses:
> >
> > 1.) To Introduce Explanations or Examples:
> >
> > One factor is often missing from modern labor: pleasure in
> >work.
> >
> > Music communicates: it is an expression of feeling.
> >
> >
> > 2). To Introduce a Series, List, or Quotation
> >
> > There are three kinds of guns on show this weekend:
> >pistols, rifles, and automatic weapons.
>
>
>
> you are absolutely correct, but I knew you might be. I can make my
> point either way. A month or so ago I looked up the rules for the
> useage of semicolon vs. colon, and understood them while I was
> looking at them. Then, I just as quickly forgot them, because I don't
> need to know them often.
>
> Do you really think it's reasonable to expect someone who is primarily
> an engineer to remember these differences when he only occasionally is
> concerned with them; as opposed to someone whose specialty is language
> skills? Do you really think his time is well spent if he has to look
> up the rules governing colon usage ( for example) when someone asks
> for a memo, when the context is all that's necessary to convey intent.
> It's really just a technicality when the misuse is inconsequential.
> Dwelling on points this fine does not enhance communication, which is
> what language is for; it only impedes it.
The errors described by the OP were far more serious than just the
difference between a colon and a semicolon.
abor...@redshark.goodshow.net
...and were outside, not inter-office.
--
Aaron
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
>>That stlyle is mid-way between slow and fast - you are half-fast
>
>you finally get a sense of humor, and that's all you got? Pathetic.
What do they call you now that the "n" word is no longer acceptable?
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
You probably can't remember what was posted before but most of us can.
So, you need to delete stuff that people have already read before you
post dieselprick.
Hugh
deem...@aol.com
> RJ <rj_nos...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > dd <dieseld...@mindspring.com> wrote:
They were to staff.
>
> --
> Aaron
abor...@redshark.goodshow.net
...but supposedly a "formal" memo.
--
Aaron
deem...@aol.com
....but not outside. It was internal, so he only looked like an
idot to coworkers.
>
> --
> Aaron
dd
why would I do that? I'm not going to delete anything, but maybe you
should. That seems just about dishonest enough of a tactic for you.
I'm not the one who judges others harshly for mistakes that I make
excuses for making myself.
What I DO remember is that you have YET to explain why you think you
are in a position to criticize others for grammar mistakes that you
yourself make in the same post that contains your criticizm.
You're just a windbag, and evidently not a very smart one.
Clever name calling though.......what are you in, third grade?
dd
you can call me Mr. Dieseldick.
>Hugh
I justed replied to another post of yours, where in my reply I asked
if you were in the third grade.
Sorry, I overestimated you.
Are you ever going to answer the question of how it is that you can
puff yourself up and expect perfection out of others when you clearly
demonstrate mediocrity yourself?
dd
far more serious in what regard? None of them, IMO, would have
caused a miscommunication. None of them would have warranted firing
an otherwise valuable employee.
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
>On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:22:04 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>Sullivan) wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:13:12 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>>That stlyle is mid-way between slow and fast - you are half-fast
>>>
>>>you finally get a sense of humor, and that's all you got? Pathetic.
>>
>>What do they call you now that the "n" word is no longer acceptable?
>>
>
>you can call me Mr. Dieseldick.
The "n" word would be a promotion for you.
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
>On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:27:22 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>Sullivan) wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:58:14 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>You probably can't remember what was posted before but most of us can.
>>So, you need to delete stuff that people have already read before you
>>post dieselprick.
>>
>>Hugh
>
>
>why would I do that? I'm not going to delete anything, but maybe you
>should. That seems just about dishonest enough of a tactic for you.
>I'm not the one who judges others harshly for mistakes that I make
>excuses for making myself.
>
>What I DO remember is that you have YET to explain why you think you
>are in a position to criticize others for grammar mistakes that you
>yourself make in the same post that contains your criticizm.
I don't explain things to little people. You are a little people.
Hugh
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
>On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:44:29 -0400, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:27:22 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>Sullivan) wrote:
>>
>>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:58:14 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>You probably can't remember what was posted before but most of us can.
>>>So, you need to delete stuff that people have already read before you
>>>post dieselprick.
>>>
>>>Hugh
>>
>>
>>why would I do that? I'm not going to delete anything, but maybe you
>>should. That seems just about dishonest enough of a tactic for you.
>>I'm not the one who judges others harshly for mistakes that I make
>>excuses for making myself.
>>
>>What I DO remember is that you have YET to explain why you think you
>>are in a position to criticize others for grammar mistakes that you
>>yourself make in the same post that contains your criticizm.
>
>I don't explain things to little people. You are a little people.
>
>Hugh
yet you just explained that....you really aren't very bright, are you?
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
>On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:49:50 -0400, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:22:04 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>Sullivan) wrote:
>>
>>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:13:12 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>>That stlyle is mid-way between slow and fast - you are half-fast
>>>>
>>>>you finally get a sense of humor, and that's all you got? Pathetic.
>>>
>>>What do they call you now that the "n" word is no longer acceptable?
>>>
>>
>>you can call me Mr. Dieseldick.
>
>The "n" word would be a promotion for you.
>
>Hugh
OK, let me see if I understand what you're doing here.
Since you've indicated nothing else, it's assumed that by the 'n' word
you mean the word 'nigger'. Several times, you have for all intents
and purposes compared me to a 'nigger' in an attempt to insult me,
judging by the tone and context of your replies. It's apparent to
anyone with half a brain that you don't think much of 'niggers',
whatever that might mean to you.
Yet you insist on saying 'the "n" word' instead of just saying
'nigger', as if that somehow redeems you and disguises your obvious
bigotry,and lack of any sensitivity to those who might be offended by
the use of that particular word.
You are laughably but almost unbearably stupid and immature.
Please quit talking to me before I can never wash away your backwoods
stink and dimwittedness .....if I am 'a little people' as you
suggested in another post, you are just the head of a pimple on the
gonad of a gnat.
It's been a pleasure allowing you to reveal your true smallness as a
human being. If you really feel that you're a bigger person than me,
I'm sure you won't bother to reply to this.
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
>On Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:24:15 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>Sullivan) wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:49:50 -0400, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:22:04 GMT, Ea...@roadrunner.com (J. Hugh
>>>Sullivan) wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:13:12 GMT, dd <diese...@mindspring.com>
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>That stlyle is mid-way between slow and fast - you are half-fast
>>>>>
>>>>>you finally get a sense of humor, and that's all you got? Pathetic.
>>>>
>>>>What do they call you now that the "n" word is no longer acceptable?
>>>>
>>>
>>>you can call me Mr. Dieseldick.
>>
>>The "n" word would be a promotion for you.
>>
>>Hugh
>
>
>OK, let me see if I understand what you're doing here.
>
>Since you've indicated nothing else, it's assumed that by the 'n' word
>you mean the word 'nigger'. Several times, you have for all intents
>and purposes compared me to a 'nigger' in an attempt to insult me,
>judging by the tone and context of your replies. It's apparent to
>anyone with half a brain that you don't think much of 'niggers',
>whatever that might mean to you
>Yet you insist on saying 'the "n" word' instead of just saying
>'nigger', as if that somehow redeems you and disguises your obvious
>bigotry,and lack of any sensitivity to those who might be offended by
>the use of that particular word.
>
>You are laughably but almost unbearably stupid and immature.
>
>Please quit talking to me before I can never wash away your backwoods
>stink and dimwittedness .....if I am 'a little people' as you
>suggested in another post, you are just the head of a pimple on the
>gonad of a gnat.
I didn't "suggest", you ARE little people.
Hugh
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
Whether I am or not doesn't matter. It's only what the people paid me
that matters. How far can you go at Mconalds, Ronald?
Hugh
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
all the way. All the way up to the urinal that you're cleaning, or up
to the counter that you're working behind, that is. Can I get fries
with that?
You are so retarded. I'm almost starting to like you, you're so
clueless. Why did you say 'paid' (past tense)? Another stupid
error or did they let you go at Bojangles? Were you the manager? I
bet that pays BIG.....and you wouldn't exactly have to be a genius
either.
>
>Hugh
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
well, OK then....you ARE just the head of a pimple on the gonad of a
gnat.
I'm going to reintroduce the part of my post that you snipped without
acknowledging; that's the part that more or less says that if you
reply (which you did...try to keep up) you're admitting to being a
smaller person than me;
"It's been a pleasure allowing you to reveal your true smallness as a
human being. If you really feel that you're a bigger person than me,
I'm sure you won't bother to reply to this."
What a freakin' maroon. I doubt Bojangles would have you. What was
I thinking?
>
>Hugh
>
>
J. Hugh Sullivan
wrote:
From now on when you go to the bathroom be sure to put your weight on
the wall. In case you fall in someone might want to know how much to
dip out.
Hugh
dd
Sullivan) wrote:
commas, after 'bathroom' and 'in'.
'You are shit' would have been just as funny as that, and far simpler,
with much less chance of those errors that seem to plague you. Just
trying to help; I'm starting to feel a little sorry for you.
>
>Hugh